Centenary Celebrations - Update

Our Centenary Celebrations are well under way.

The Centenary Year was launched on January 10th - despite the problems caused by some ‘seasonal’ if somewhat unusual weather.

The Centenary Project having been approved by Church Meeting was launched on February 14th.
As an act of gratitude for the last 100 years it has been decided to forge links with a Church in Zimbabwe.
Initially our search for a Partner Church led us to Hatfield in Harare. Their urgent need was for a school bus and so this became the focus of our fundraising activities during our Centenary Year.

Unfortunately, due to local difficulties in Zimbabwe, that partnership became unviable.
The precise details of the difficulties are unknown to us but we have been informed by Synod that we should not proceed with the partnership at this time.
Fortunately the Synod team working with the Church in Zimbabwe was able to suggest an alternative partner and after considerable prayer, thought and discussion the members of Christ Church Rayleigh have decided -

- that it is with the Budiriro Presbyterian Church that our partnership will be formed.

A few details

Budiriro is a new, high density suburb in Greater Harare.
The Church comprises of around 60 members; some 11 youth, and 20 or so Sunday School children.
They meet (Sunday Services 10:30 - 12:30) on a temporary site - called a stand which they rent.
They have erected a temporary shelter i.e. their Church (pictured below) which is 6 - 8 vertical poles with wooden beams on top to form a 'roof' which is half covered with corrugated iron.

Their need

This is easy to identify. This group of people wish to build a Church and any help in this endeavour will make a huge difference to them and the community around them.

We can/will help!

This is a partnership which will go on far beyond our Centenary Year. Our commitment is to do whatever we can to support this developing Church and its community. In the first instance we will aim to help the Church at Budiriro acquire their own stand so that the work of erecting a permanent Church building and the spreading of God's word & witness in that area can commence.

Our Centenary Fund is growing - but still more is needed.
Please help by praying for the Church in Budiriro, its Minister and Elder and the people who live in that particular suburb of Harare - and if you are able to and willing to contribute please do so.

As ‘Gift Aid’ is an easy way of increasing the value of donations please complete the printable Gift Aid declaration if you qualify.

The History of Christ Church Rayleigh - 'Christ Church the First Hundred Years'
This has now been published. The book was launched at a special service on Sunday March 21st followed by a 'book signing' by its author - Revd Hubert Smith.
As expected, the reaction from those who have already read the book has been very positive. The History is not only highly informative - it's a ‘jolly good read’.
If you haven't yet arranged to get a copy, enclosed with this letter is an order form.
A copy of the History can be yours for £6.00 + £1.50 (p & p)

And coming up:

May 1st - ‘The May Event’ - an ‘Open Day’ with children in mind was a great success.

July 10th/11th - The Anniversary - On the Saturday this too will be an 'Open Day' with activities for children, exhibitions and musical performances from the different groups and individuals who use our building. The actual programme is being developed but at the moment, as well as the children, we are hoping to hear from our Organists - Past and Present; our Music Group; Members of S.E.Y.S.O., - and others yet to be ‘persuaded’.
On the Sunday Morning we will be holding a Service of Thanksgiving followed by a buffet lunch.

August 27th to 30th - Anniversary Church Camp
September 26th - Harvest
October 2nd - ‘Christ Church in Old Rayleigh’ - a Slide Show presentation by Ernie Lane.
October 9th - A Concert by the South Essex Youth Symphony Orchestra S.E.Y.S.O.
December 4th - A Concert by the Harmonie Concert Band
December 6th - Christmas Lunch

There will no doubt be other events taking place during the year - many of these will be member's efforts to raise money for the Centenary Project as part of the Talent Scheme which began on February 14th.

Details of the final four events above and those of any other events as yet unplanned will appear on the web site in the next ‘Centenary Celebrations Update’.

Please come and join us in our celebrations!

Allan Morgan
(for the Centenary Committee)